Quetta video scandal: two convicted in high-profile case

In a landmark case that has sent shockwaves through Quetta and Balochistan, two individuals have been convicted for their involvement in a disturbing video scandal that came to light in December 2021.

According to BBC Urdu’s news report, the conviction was made possible due to the efforts of the investigators, even though none of the affected victims stepped forward as witnesses.

The accused, who are brothers, were found guilty of exploiting young girls by luring them and then blackmailing them after drugging them with narcotics. The scandal involved the creation of highly objectionable videos and images of the victims. Although hundreds of videos were discovered in the possession of the accused, investigations suggest that they targeted around 200 girls.

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The accused were identified as Hidayatullah and Khalilullah. The court found both accused guilty under the Pakistan Penal Code (PICA) Act and sentenced one of the brothers to six years in prison and imposed a fine of Rs 1 million, while the other was sentenced to three years in prison and a fine of Rs 0.5 million.

Background

A woman lodged a complaint against the two convicted individuals at Quaidabad Police Station in Quetta, alleging that her two daughters, aged 19 and 16, had been blackmailed and subjected to sexual abuse for the past two years. The accused had made nude videos of the daughters, which were then also posted on social media. The victims were also subjected to physical abuse.

However, after the complaint was filed, the woman and her daughters left their home in Balochistan and went to Afghanistan. Authorities remain uncertain whether they were coerced or lured to Afghanistan.

The second complaint was filed by a victim herself in which she said that she and a friend of hers were sexually assaulted, blackmailed, and had their videos uploaded on social media. The accused had lured them with the promise of employment.

The victims revealed that the accused routinely called them to a house, where they were subjected to further abuse. They also disclosed that other girls were similarly victimised, with drugs being used to facilitate the exploitation.

In fear of dishonor and family repercussions, the victims had initially refrained from reporting these incidents.

The accused, Hidayatullah and Khalilullah, were apprehended by the police at separate locations. It was discovered that the accused had rented a house on Airport Road for their criminal activities.

The investigation included cybercrime aspects, which were handled by the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA). Following a thorough investigation, the FIA presented a case against the accused in the judicial magistrate’s court.

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The investigation revealed that the accused not only blackmailed their victims but also coerced them into recruiting other girls for exploitation.

Reaction of human rights activists

The case has drawn widespread attention and condemnation from human rights activists and organisations. Hamida Noor and Hamida Hazara of the NGO Shed believe that the punishment meted out to the accused is insufficient and that their arrest is not enough. They said that the larger network of perpetrators should be brought to justice.

The activists argue that stronger penalties are needed to deter future abuses and protect the lives and dignity of women facing such constraints. They stress that this case is not isolated and that there may be more culprits at large.